Gardening Basics

The Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula) is a carnivorous plant native to North Carolina. This plant has adapted to low-nutrient conditions by evolving its leaves to attract, trap and digest animal...

Vegetable gardening can be a rewarding hobby, with a payoff of fresh produce at the finish line. Gardening doesn't require a large financial investment, but you do need to consider what plants...

Ivy is a lush plant that can be found around the world. It's naturally a climber, which means it's quick to cover both the ground and the walls it grows near. But when green ivy is tamed, it can...

Gardening can be one of the most relaxing activities. You can grow almost anything depending on your climate. Maybe you want to grow some vegetables in your garden, or maybe you wish to plant a...

Once believed to be a delicacy reserved for special occasions, asparagus has become as commonly grown throughout Australia as peas and carrots. Exports of Australian asparagus are sold in...

Want to make those houseplants grow twice as fast? Try these all-natural and cheap homemade fertilizers, all made from items you already have in your home.

Growing a new plant without planting seeds first may seem impossible, however, it is one of the most common means of plant reproduction. Cloning, as gardeners refer to it, is the method of...

As the popularity of indoor and specialty gardens grows and use of the internet to purchase hard-to-find plants increases, shipping has become a popular method of delivery. It is possible to ship...

Plant cuttings are an easy and inexpensive way to add new specimens to your garden without spending a fortune. And if your friends, family or neighbors have plants you admire, starting a cutting...

If you live near a busy street, you probably hear traffic noise. If you have children who like soccer, the sides of your house might be a little dented. Garden hedges can reduce the traffic noise...

Purple fountain grass is an ornamental grass known for its cascading leaves and dramatic color. Because these grasses grow as clumps, they stay within the confines of their designated growing...

Morning star jasmine is a beautiful, aromatic plant that makes a wonderful addition to any landscape or garden. With the trademark star-shaped blooms and sweet fragrance, you're sure to enjoy...

Aloe is a very good plant to grow. It has many medicinal purposes, is relatively easy to care for and can be grown both outdoors and indoors. If you like hummingbirds, this is also a plant which...

Ensete ventricosum Maurelii, commonly known as red banana, Abyssinian banana and Ethiopian banana, is a banana-like perennial with large reddish leaves that bears a dry, unpalatable fruit. These...

One of the best ways to transform a garden is to utilize perennials such as Veronica groundcover to add color and interest. Veronica groundcover is easy to care for and does well in full sun and...

One of the most elementary and amusing things to do with kids is to germinate lima bean seeds. You soaked your beans. You kept them moist, set them in a sunny window, and they split open to let a...

Ever wonder how to keep your tomatoes from getting black spots on the bottom? After this most problems should be resolved.

Plant starting shelves are ideal for starting seedlings indoors long before the warmer weather of spring has hit your area. Getting a head start on your growing during the colder months will mean...

Guarana is indigenous to the forests of Brazil, and is used to heavy bouts of rainfall and intense heat waves. Guarana is used commercially in many beverages that promote alertness, appetite...

Many greenhouses across the United States sell a wide variety of garden seeds, from vegetables, to fruits and trees. While seeds are bountiful, there may be some seeds that you can only locate...

Lazy blossoms draped over an arbor lush with trailing vines is one of the most romantic garden views there is. Getting those vines to trail where you want them to can be a challenge, because they...

If you love eating apples but don't like spending your money at the local grocery store or farmer's market to purchase them, you should consider growing your own apple trees. All you need to do is...

The AeroGarden is a countertop hydroponics set-up marketed for growing anything from salad greens to cooking herbs, vegetables or flowers. Some AeroGardens come with a tray specifically intended...

Agave is a century plant with a rosette shape and thick, prickly leaves. It can be used as a decorative plant, or mature agave plants with stalks can be harvested for food and beverages. Because...

The thick, lush leaves and delicate tendrils of grapevines have enchanted artists for centuries. Growing most varieties of edible grapes requires bees and wind to pollinate them, but if you are...

Holly plants are known for their incorporation in festive decorations around the holidays. They feature pointy green leaves and bright red berries, creating a red and green theme that nicely...

Hydrangeas are easy to grow and fulfill many purposes in your garden landscape, from a specimen plant used as a focal point to a tall hedge. Often planted at the border of a woodland area, they...

Stringing plant vines on a trellis will support upward growth for a larger plant with bigger yield. Sturdy unbleached cotton twine is adjustable and holds vines gently without causing damage. Give...

Successful gardening in the Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas area means being aware of climate conditions during growing seasons. Plant hardiness zones, or Climate Zones, or growing zones, and Heat Zone...

This article will teach you how to clone most plants. Some plants may take longer than other species of plants. Some may be harder to clone, but some are very very easy to clone. You can buy a...

According to the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, compost is created by the "biological decomposition of organic wastes by bacteria, fungi, worms and other...

Planting vegetables in Ohio is not as hard as it may seem. The key is to plan ahead and know what type of vegetable you want to plant. According to Ohiolandscaping.com, there are cool season...

Yellow root, or Xanthorrhiza simplicissima, receives its name from the brilliant yellow of its inner bark and underground root stem. This tall shrub produces an bright green leaf in the summer...

Roundup is an herbicide that effectively kills many species of weeds. Properly used, Roundup will kill weeds in less than a week. Physical signs of a plant's impending death from Roundup range...

The coconut palm tree is a beautiful addition to a park, a backyard or other type of grounds. The trees grow well in tropical or semi-tropical climates where there is a lot of sunshine and rain....

Whether you want a nice cold glass of juice each morning, or just a bold splash of color in your yard, the Republic of Texas Orange Tree is perfect. This thorny tree is known throughout Texas for...

When you work with certain plants, you might develop rashes on your body. After you have been working with the hibiscus plant, and notice a red, itchy rash on your arms, it is important to explore...

Compost--partially decomposed organic matter--is a dark soil-like substance full of nutrients and microorganisms that plants adore. You can certainly make your own compost using a simple pile in a...

It comes as a surprise to many when they learn about the positive effects charcoal has on plant life. Charcoal is a porous substance that, when used in horticulture, provides a source of carbon to...

Selecting shrubs suitable for shady areas is much like imagining a walk through the woods. There is a broad palette of shrubs that work well in settings under trees or near the edge of woods. In...

Ground covers are an excellent solution for areas of little or no sunlight where many grasses won't grow. They are so easy to grow that even novice gardeners can root, start and grow them...

Aloe vera is a useful plant that has been used medicinally as well as aesthetically for centuries. The use of Aloe vera as a medicine dates back to the early Egyptian culture. Aloe vera is a hardy...

Rosemary Christmas trees are often sold in supermarkets and nurseries around the holidays. Not only are they inexpensive holiday decorations, but they serve culinary purposes and can be used in...

Chinese evergreens are hearty houseplants with large teardrop-shaped leaves in two tones of green. Chinese evergreens grow quickly; one potted plant can be turned into several pots without a lot...

Light and airy, ferns add a graceful, lush point of interest to any home or garden. Hardier than they look, once established they are low-maintenance, low disease-prone plants bothered by very few...

The shady hosta is a very low maintenance perennial plant that does well with little attention. The plant will die back in late fall, and gardeners could allow the leaves to decompose naturally...

Repotting a house plant provides additional room for its roots to expand in fresh soil; ultimately fortifying the plant's good health and caring for its longevity. The act itself is simple and...

There are more than 30 species of white spruce, frequently referred to as "Alberta spruce." These evergreen trees grow up and down North America, into New England, Canada and Alaska. The white...

Succulents, plants that have fleshy tissues that store water, bring an air of the desert's architectural interest to the garden. They are popular for parts of the garden that are sunny and hot,...

Growing peppers does not have to be difficult, but knowing how to identify pepper plants will play a role in meeting the needs of each variety. Peppers can grow to be small or large, sweet or hot,...